Film Scene Analysis Tips.
ANSWER
When analyzing a scene, you should consider the following aspects:
- Story and Conflict:
- What is happening in the story during this scene?
- What is the central conflict or tension in the scene?
- Editing Techniques:
- Are the principles of continuity editing used? Continuity editing aims to create a seamless and logical flow of action, often involving techniques like match cuts, eyeline matches, and the 180-degree rule.
- Analyze the types of cuts used (e.g., jump cuts, cross-cuts) and their purpose in conveying the story or emotion.
- Pacing of Edits:
- Consider the pacing of the edits. Do they increase or decrease in time?
- The pacing of edits can influence the viewer’s emotional response and the tension in the scene.
- Special Effects:
- Look for any special effects or unique editing choices, such as freeze frames, slow motion, or visual effects.
- These effects can add emphasis or a stylistic element to the scene.
- Editor’s Role:
- Reflect on the job of the editor. What is their role in shaping the scene and the overall film?
- Discuss what would be required for an editor to perform this job effectively. This includes a deep understanding of the story, collaboration with the director, and technical proficiency.
- Overall Impact:
- Finally, share your thoughts on how the scene’s editing contributes to the overall impact of the film.
- Discuss how the editing choices affect the viewer’s engagement with the story and characters.
Remember to provide specific examples from the scene to support your analysis. If you have access to the scene and can describe the editing choices, I’d be happy to help you analyze it in more detail based on the principles and vocabulary of film editing.
QUESTION
Description
VIEW THIS SHORT VIDEOLINKS TO AN EXTERNAL SITE. IN WHICH THE EDITOR, THELMA SCHOONMAKER, TALKS ABOUT HER JOB AS AN EDITOR, AND ANALYZES A PARTICULAR SCENE FROM THE FILM.
Now find a scene or part of a scene (try for under 15-30 seconds) from the film, RAGING BULL.
Choose 10 edits in the scene of your choice from RAGING BULL. Create a chart. Here is an example –taken from a scene (from a different film) Annie Hall.Links to an external site.Time code inType of editDescription – camera – on tripod balconyDialogue0:00Fade in2-shot balcony Annie/AlvyAnnie: You’re what GA would call a real jew0:08CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAlvy: Thank you0:13CUTMCU – AnnieAnnie:…She hates…0:18CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAnnie OFF CAMERA0:21CUTMCU – AnnieNo dialogue – reaction shot of Annie0:24CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAlvy: So did you do those photographs in there?0:20CUTMCU – AnnieAnnie: Yeah……..dabble around.0:34CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAlvy: They’re wonderful…..0:37CUTMCU – AnnieAlvy off camera: Quality…Annie…well…course.0:43CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAlvy: Photography..,emerged yet.0:49CUTMCU – AnnieAnnie…Set of criteria….0:52CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAlvy: The medium….artform itself.0:57CUTMCU – AnnieAnnie: Well, instinctive…feel it.1:06CUTMedium Close-Up AlvyAlvy: Still the….guildelines,..perspective I think.1:13CUT2-shot balcony Annie/AlvyAnnie: Well, you must be late huh.1:19CUT2-shot balcony Annie/AlvyAlvy…you know..gotta ,..laughter.fade out
- NOTE: Your chosen scene may include more than just CUTS (dissolves or ?)
After posting your chart, discuss the scene –
What is happening in the story during this scene? What is the conflict in the scene?
Are the principles of CONTINUITY EDITING used? Be specific.
Include the pacing of the edits. Do they increase in time? Why or why not?
Use the film vocabulary introduced in this Module. Do you see any special effects in your chosen scene? Freezeframe or slow motion?
- What do you think of the job of the editor? What would be required to perform this job well?